Based on what we’ve seen over the course of the last several weeks, I’d say that the Tennessee Titans are in a much better position at quarterback than we initially thought they were. After Marcus Mariota put on a disastrous performance against the Denver Broncos, the Titans coaching staff elected to put in Ryan Tannehill. It felt like the end of an era…like maybe the Titans were desperately trying to get something going on offense. But, right away, it appeared to be a shot in the arm to the offense.
He was throwing the ball downfield confidently and decisively. It was a dynamic the Titans offense was just plain lacking with Mariota at the helm. In his four games starting since, Tannehill’s stat line looks like:
- Chargers: 23/29, 312 yards, two TDs, one INT, 120.1 rating
- Buccaneers: 21/33, 193 yards, three TDs, 109.8 rating
- Panthers: 27/39, 331 yards, one TD, two INTs, 82.3 rating
- Chiefs: 13/19, 181 yards, two TDs, 133.9 rating
Now, those aren’t electrifying stat lines by any means, but it’s a much more consistent string of games than the ones Mariota had before him. Not to mention, the important thing is that the Titans are 3-1 in those four games.
I mentioned his confidence throwing the ball, but Ryan Tannehill is also the more accurate option as well. Mariota completed 59.1% of his passes this season to Tannehill’s 71.3%. He’s been better at sensing pressure in the pocket than Mariota was. And, he’s much more of a general at the position.
When he was initially traded to the Titans from the Miami Dolphins, many assumed it was little more than an insurance policy for Mariota. A season ago, the Titans entered a Week 17 showdown with Blaine Gabbert at the helm against the Indianapolis Colts in a game that cost them a playoff berth. So, yeah – an upgrade behind Mariota was a necessity. A small (albeit vocal) minority thought there would be an actual quarterback competition.
But, I don’t recall anyone thinking Ryan Tannehill would be a viable option for the Titans beyond 2019.
After Sunday’s game, though….I’m startin’ to feel a little twitch, thinking he could be the perfect guy to bridge this franchise from Mariota to the signal-caller of the future.
He played his best game as a Titan yet. Not only was he confident and accurate throwing the ball, but he showed a lot of fire in his willingness to tuck the ball and pick up tough yardage with his legs. Plus, we have to consider the context of when he played his best – when the team was down, needing big plays, and the pressure dialed up.
Accuracy:
What a perfect throw by Ryan Tannehill on 4th and 10, he put it RIGHT THERE but AJ Brown dropped it. pic.twitter.com/cIxX2pXrX1
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) November 10, 2019
THE TITANS⁉️
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 10, 2019
Ryan Tannehill marches down the field for a game-winning touchdown to beat the Chiefspic.twitter.com/HtzuDtiOmw
Fire:
A lot of big throws from Ryan Tannehill today but this run was double tuff. #Titans pic.twitter.com/KNJNkonDuz
— The Unofficial Titans Podcast (@SoBrosTitans) November 10, 2019
A broken-out Ryan Tannehill lowers the shoulder and runs over Juan Thornhill for the 2-point conversion. pic.twitter.com/yKyChjVdjL
— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) November 10, 2019
I’m just saying. This dude has stepped up in a major way. The Titans have a ton of decisions to make at the end of the season…lots of contracts expiring…but if Tannehill keeps playing like this, he’s going to make it pretty hard for this franchise to let him go.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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